Govt spent P14.1B on PPE, test kits

The Philippine government has spent P14.1 billion to procure personal protective equipment (PPE), test kits, and medical equipment for its COVID-19 response.

Of this amount, P12.1 billion was used to purchase 6,062,019 PPE sets, with 1,458,000 sets or 23.79% delivered so far.

An additional 65,330 PPE sets were acquired using savings from previous procurements.

P1.6 billion was allocated for nine types of PCR test kits, with deliveries expected to be completed next month.

Ten automated nucleic acid extraction machines were procured for P400 million.

The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) has started mass production of reusable face masks at 10,000 per week, aiming to reach 50,000 weekly by the end of June.

These reusable masks, treated with a water-repellent finishing technology, aim to produce 500,000 units, with half for frontline workers and the remainder for the government's inventory.